Apostrophe Abuse/neglect

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:12 PM

So..... my kid's teacher "corrected" a poster I wrote....

I have two questions:

1) Which is correct:

a) Intra-Mural Sports' Teams
b) Intra-Mural Sports Teams
c) Intra-Mural Sport's Teams

It's a title referring to several school teams who play a sport against teams from other schools. The teams are the people doing the fundraising the poster is about, so this appears in the "name" section of the headings.

2) Where is that poster people always link to here about how to use an apostrophe, stupid..... (not the Bob the Angry Flower one -the other one)

Pie · 10-28-2009, 09:15 PM

I'll take (b) -- but I'm probably wrong. Sigh.

jinx · 10-28-2009, 09:16 PM

B for me also.

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:17 PM

my kids picked B too (except Thor -he's asleep)

Cloud · 10-28-2009, 09:23 PM

as far as I can tell without context, your title merely includes sports and teams as plural nouns; no apostrophe required.

B

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:26 PM

context:

The Hippie School

Intra-Mural Sport's' Teams

We are raising money for uniforms...blah blah bla'.....

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud

as far as I can tell without context, your title merely includes sports and teams as plural nouns; no apostrophe required.

B

i not entirely sure that sports is not an adjective in this context?

TheDaVinciChode · 10-28-2009, 09:29 PM

With no prior context, "B" is the correct option.

Don't let this so-called "teacher" direct you to any conclusion, other than the above.

Makes you fear for the child's education, eh?

"A" is never correct.

"C," however, could be, depending on circumstance, and diction.

(Do they all play the same sport, or, multiple sports?)

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:34 PM

ENOUGH ALREADY!

I wrote (B)

he corrected to (A)

I may have to kill him.... but he hasn't yet sent Thor to the principal so perhaps i can show leniency.

(multiple sports)

classicman · 10-28-2009, 09:36 PM

(a) and if it isn't correct, it should be. Pbbbllllt!

ZenGum · 10-28-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDaVinciChode

"A" is never correct.

A could be correct (but isn't). It is a plural possesive - there are several sports and these teams "belong" to them.

C is singular possesive. There is one sport and these teams belong to it.

B is my pick - "sports teams" is a phrasal noun, and doesn't need an apostrophe.

Hang on a tick, I'm in a room full of English teachers, I'll ask one.

TheDaVinciChode · 10-28-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

ENOUGH ALREADY!

I wrote (B)

he corrected to (A)

I may have to kill him.... but he hasn't yet sent Thor to the principal so perhaps i can show leniency.

(multiple sports)

He corrected it, to the only incorrect answer?

English is such a butchered language, these days. I fear for it; My beloved, mother-tongue, warped beyond plausible recognition.

Cloud · 10-28-2009, 09:39 PM

terrific (sarcasm). The teacher doesn't understand grammar. I would ask him to show you his authority for the apostrophe.

monster · 10-28-2009, 09:44 PM

I am doing... but I wanted a little back-up before I went gung-ho.....

zen, I agree a is possible, but Sports has to be a noun in that sense and i'm not sure it is here.

Think about it, I could also say... The "Academic Teams" when talking about the Spelling Bee and math games people.... would we add an " 's " to Acedemic there?

jinx · 10-28-2009, 09:44 PM

It's totally an adjective.

10-28-2009, 09:12 PM	#1
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	Apostrophe Abuse/neglect So..... my kid's teacher "corrected" a poster I wrote.... I have two questions: 1) Which is correct: a) Intra-Mural Sports' Teams b) Intra-Mural Sports Teams c) Intra-Mural Sport's Teams It's a title referring to several school teams who play a sport against teams from other schools. The teams are the people doing the fundraising the poster is about, so this appears in the "name" section of the headings. 2) Where is that poster people always link to here about how to use an apostrophe, stupid..... (not the Bob the Angry Flower one -the other one) __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-28-2009, 09:15 PM	#2
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	I'll take (b) -- but I'm probably wrong. Sigh. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

10-28-2009, 09:16 PM	#3
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	B for me also. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

10-28-2009, 09:17 PM	#4
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	my kids picked B too (except Thor -he's asleep) __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-28-2009, 09:23 PM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	as far as I can tell without context, your title merely includes sports and teams as plural nouns; no apostrophe required. B __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-28-2009, 09:26 PM	#6
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	context: The Hippie School Intra-Mural Sport's' Teams We are raising money for uniforms...blah blah bla'..... __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-28-2009, 09:29 PM	#8
TheDaVinciChode Chews Food Coming In, And Going Out Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 339	With no prior context, "B" is the correct option. Don't let this so-called "teacher" direct you to any conclusion, other than the above. Makes you fear for the child's education, eh? "A" is never correct. "C," however, could be, depending on circumstance, and diction. (Do they all play the same sport, or, multiple sports?) __________________ "O' Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done;" "The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;" - Walt Whitman / Leaves Of Grass.

10-28-2009, 09:34 PM	#9
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	ENOUGH ALREADY! I wrote (B) he corrected to (A) I may have to kill him.... but he hasn't yet sent Thor to the principal so perhaps i can show leniency. (multiple sports) __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-28-2009, 09:36 PM	#10
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	(a) and if it isn't correct, it should be. Pbbbllllt! __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

10-28-2009, 09:39 PM	#13
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	terrific (sarcasm). The teacher doesn't understand grammar. I would ask him to show you his authority for the apostrophe. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

10-28-2009, 09:44 PM	#14
monster I hear them call the tide Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perpetual Chaos Posts: 30,852	I am doing... but I wanted a little back-up before I went gung-ho..... zen, I agree a is possible, but Sports has to be a noun in that sense and i'm not sure it is here. Think about it, I could also say... The "Academic Teams" when talking about the Spelling Bee and math games people.... would we add an " 's " to Acedemic there? __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity Amelia Earhart

10-28-2009, 09:44 PM	#15
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	It's totally an adjective. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

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